Since MacOS X server is actually BSD UNIX with
Mach kernel plus Apple MacOS GUI plus some Apple proprietary technologies,
MacOS X shares many components with other UNIX systems like Linux
and free BSD:
Apache WEB server; MySQL and PostgreSQL database servers; PERL, PHP
and Python scripting languages; gcc compiler and GNU C/C++ libraries.
So its better to outline differences between
Linux and MacOS X server, as well as advantages and drawbacks of each.
Thus, only non-matching server-related features will be mentioned
below.
| |
| Supported CPUs |
ARM, DEC/Compaq ALPHA, IBM
RS, Intel x86 and compatible, Intel IA64, Mac PowerPC, Mac 68k,
SGI MIPS, SUN SPARC |
PowerPC G3/G4 (runs on genuine
Apple hardware only) |
| Max # of clients |
Limited by hardware |
Limited by hardware or license |
| Price |
May be downloaded for free;
retail boxes cost $29-$69, including 30-90 days of installation
support, for unlimited # of users and server installations |
$499 10-user version, $999
unlimited users (price valid for 1 server installation) |
| SMP Support |
Up to 16 CPUs with 2.4.x
kernel |
Limited by available Apple
hardware, only 2 CPUs SMP supported at this time |
| Runs on Embedded Systems |
Yes |
No |
| Availability of True Server
Hardware (with ECC RAM Support, built-in hardware RAID Level 5,
etc.) |
Yes, from large # of vendors |
Not available from Apple
at this moment |
| Crash-proof Journaling
File System Support |
ReiserFS, SGI XFS, IBM JFS |
No |
| Windows SMB Networking
Support |
Samba |
Samba |
| Novell Netware Emulation |
MARS_NWE |
No, but probably it is possible
to recompile MARS_NWE under MacOS X |
| Appletalk/AppleShare IP
Support |
Netatalk |
Built-in |
| Logical Volume Manager
(LVM) Support |
Yes |
No |
| Software RAID Level 0,
1, 5 Support |
Yes |
Level 0, 1 and 5 |
| Quota Support |
Yes |
??? |
| Genuine PostScript Printer
Driver |
Clone only called GhostScript
(PostScript Level 2 emulation with some Level 3 features) |
Yes, level 2 and 3 |
| Built-in Network-able PostScript
RIP (Raster Image Processor) |
Yes, GhostScript (PS L2),
supports many ink-jet and laser printers; third party RIPs also
available |
Third party only |
| Ability to Update/Delete/Replace
System Components without Server Shutdown and/or Restart |
Yes (except base system:
kernel, GLIBC, few extra items) |
Yes, except base system |
| Classic MacOS Emulation |
Yes (on PPC only), works
with few limitations and artifacts |
Yes (native speed emulation),
with few limitations |
| MS Windows Emulation |
Yes, under x86, close to
native speed; and under PPC with 10% of native CPU speed |
Requires VirtualPC (at extra
cost), runs at 10% of native CPU speed |
| ICC Profile Support |
Limited |
Yes |
| ColorSync Color Management
Support |
No |
Yes |
| QuickTime Streaming Server
Support |
Yes (Apple Open Source) |
Yes (Apple Open Source) |
| FileMaker Server Support |
Yes, on x86 only |
Yes |
| WebObjects |
No |
Yes |
| Remote Control/Administration
for MacOS Client |
Yes, with screen sharing
VNC software |
Yes, with Macintosh Manager
and screen sharing VNC software |
| Availability of Third Party
OPI Server Software |
No (???) |
Yes |
| Availability of Third Party
Digital Asset Management Server Software |
No (???) |
Limited, but ports from Windows
NT and commercial UNIX systems are expected |
So, does Linux really represents dangerous threat
for MacOS X Server? I believe no. Mac always have been specialized
platform optimized for certain needs. MacOS X Server is pretty cheap
(compared to Windows NT, Novell and commercial versions of UNIX);
does not require purchasing per-client license; provides many (but
unfortunately far from all) features available on Linux; is easy to
install and configure; and additionally; hosts very capable RAD (Rapid
Application Development) tools like Project Manager, Web Objects and
Cocoa.
At this time in most cases for mixed Mac/PC networks
Linux is preferable for both Internet and workgroup deployment because
of availability of specialized software, greater hardware compatibility,
better support for different network protocols and non-PostScript
printers. On the other side, Web Objects, FileMaker Server, high-quality
PostScript drivers, built-in color matching system and easy to use
installation and administration are very strong point of MacOS X Server.
PS. If you still have old AppleShare IP server
package which you have used to use, MacOS X Server is probably the
most easiest upgrade path. Linux administration is quite difficult
for people with pure Mac mentality and no UNIX or programming background.
